Coal compressing and charging device.



No. 783,637. PATBNTED FEB. 28, 1905. J. B. LADD.

GOAL GOMPRESSING AND CHARGING DEVICE. APPLIdATION FILED JULY 29,1903.

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No. 783,637. 7 PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. J. B. LADD.

GOAL UOMPRESSING AND CHARGING DEVIGE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29,1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVEIITUR i e g- 1x60 {1 W a, ga de A TTORNEY.

No. 783,637. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. J. .B. LADD. GOAL GOMPRE SSING AND CHARGING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29,1903.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

FIG. 4.

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No. 783,637. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. J. B. LADD GOAL GOM'PRESSING AND CHARGING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 29,1903.

4 SHEETS-SHBBT 4.

I will I mmmm: mm m? NITED STATES Patented February 28, 1905.

JAMES B. LADD, OF W AYNE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE SEMET- SOLVAY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

COAL OOIVIPHEQSING AND GHAHGING DEVICH'E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 783,637, dated February 28, 1905.

Application filezl July 29,1903. Serial No. 167,399.

To a, 1071//11 i1 11m. (tn/worn.-

Be it known that I, JAM as B. LADI), a citizen of the United States, residing at Wayne, Delaware county, and State of Pennsylvania,

have invented a new and useful Coal Oompressing and Charging Device, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to coal compressing and charging devices ofthe class wherein the IQ coal is compressed in bulk ---as, for example,

is shown in United States patent to me, No.

731,374, dated June 16, 1903,which isthe type of machine herein illustrated.

My invention relates particularly to means for filling such machine with the ground coal to be compressed and means for covering and inclosing the same.

The object of my invention is to afford an improved and el'licient means for filling the box of such a compressing-machine, so as to insure that the same will always be lilled full and flush with its top, and also to afford a convenient and eflicient means for handling the cover for the box of such machine and for securing the same in place, so that it will resist the pressure which comes against it when the coal is compressed.

To insure the forming of a firm and homogeneous cake of compressed coal, it is essential that the box of a coinpressing-machine of the type referred to shall be entirely filled, for if any vacant space exists in the box when the coal is compressed soft and weak spots will be formed in the cake.

Inasmuch as the compressing of the coal must be performed by forcing the sides of the box together namely, by applying the pressure on the line with the least resistance the only practical method of filling the box is by 4. charging the coal into it from above, and the machine is required to traverse along in front of the ovens, so as to deliver the compressed coal to them, it is for practical reasons necessary that the means for supplying the box with coal shall be entirely independent of the compressing and charging machine.

In practice the exact quantity of coal required to fill the box cannot be delivered. It is therefore necessary to convey to the box a quantity of coal more than sui'licient to fill it 5 and then to strike off the surplus coal which extends above the top of the box.

To prevent the coal from being spilled and wasted when passing into the box, I pass it through a funnel-shaped hopper the bottom walls of which extend down close to the top of the box and are practicallycoincident with its sides and ends.

\V hen a charge of coal greater than the capacity of the box is introduced through this hopper, the excess of coal over the amount required to fill the box rests on top of the coal within the box and extends up into the lower part of the hopper. The hopper is then moved to one side and scrapes the surplus coal oil with it. The surplus coal thus scraped off the top of the box is retained in the hopper by a plate attached to one of the sides of the box flush with its top. Thus the box is left ontirely filled with coal, and the surplus part of the charge is always carried to one side and remains there without further attention d uring the time that the coal is compressed and the machine proper performs its other functions.

hen the com pressing-machine is ready for another supply of coal, the hopper is moved back over the box and scrapes the surplus coal back into the box, where it serves as part of the next charge.

A special significance is given to the means herein described by the fact that the compressing and charging device referred to and more fully described in my said Patent No. 731,37-t is adapted to operate upon large masses of coal at a time-masses weighing several tens. To transport at a single operation such a bulk of coal, to deliver it to the compressing-box so as to fill it completely full, to scrape off the surplus coal without any waste thereof, and then to close the conmressing device so as to resist the great pressure necessary to form soft or ground coal into a self-sustaining cake requires mechanism of great strength, and consequently of great weight. it has been my object to construct such a ponderous mechanism with its various parts so proportioned, positioned, supported, and actuated as to be readily and easily manipulated and controlled l by the operator in charge of the same.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of my device, showing the sides of the box of the machine at their maximum distance apart, the hopper in place over the box, and the charge of loose coal in place in the box and extending up into the hopper. Fig. 2 is a partial view, in similar section, showingthe hopper moved to one side and the box filled with loose coal flush with its top. Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing the cover in place over the box. Fig. 4is a similar view showing the sides of the box moved together, the compressed coal in the box, and means for holding the cover down. Fig. 5 is a plan view of certain details of the mechanism for moving the cover of the box. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view of certain details of the hopper. Fig. 8 is atransverse section on lines 8 8 of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is an elevation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The hopper 1 extends the entire length of the box and is supported by several pairs of wheels 2, which rest upon the upper tiebars 30f the compressing mechanism proper. These tie-bars 3 usually consist of a pair flat forged-steel bars with a narrow space. between them, as is clearly shownin Fig. 8.v One, pair of wheels 2is made with acentral flange, which extends down into the space between the bars 3 and serves to hold the hopper against longitudinal motion. Such flanged wheels are clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. Other pairs of these wheels 2 are made plain without flanges, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9. These plain wheels 2 serve merely to support the weight of the hopper. The pairof wheels with flanges isplaced about midway of the length of the hopper, so that the hopper is thus secured against longitudinal motion at aboutthe center of its length and is free to expand lengthwise in either direction therefrom.

To permit the bars 3 to pass through the hopper and at the same time to prevent the coal from falling on top of these bars, the hopper is made with a number of transverse division-plates 4 and triangular cross-bars 5, which are arranged, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, so as to protect the bars 3 on top and on both sides. These transverse plates 4 really divide the hopper proper into a series of compartments, as is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The number of such compartments is immaterial, being dependent upon the number of crossbars 3 used in the construction of the compressing-machine proper.

The rods 6 have one of their ends attached to the hopper 1 and the other of their ends attached to the levers 7. These levers 7 are securely keyed on the end of the shaft 8, which extends the entire length of the hopper. By means of suitable gearing (not shown on these drawings) the shaft 8 may be rotated, and when rotated through an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 the levers 7 will be moved into the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 and the rods 6 will push the hopper sidewise into the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. During this motion sidewise the hopper is kept parallel with its initial position by the rods 6, which are attached to it near its ends. 7

During the first part of the motion sidewise the hopper scrapes the surplus coal to one side onto the plate 9, which is supported on a number of levers 10. These levers 10 are free to turn about pins 11, which are supported in substantial brackets 12, attached to the side of the box. During the latter part of the sidewise movement of the hopper bars 13, supported in brackets 14, attached to the hopper, engage with the upper ends of these levers 10 and force them down, thereby raising the plate 9 into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2. To permit this plate 9 to rise up, one side of the hopper is formed of a long narrow plate 15, which is attached to the hopper proper by a number of pairs of rods 16 and 17, which pass through under the bars 3 between the vertical transverse plates 4 and are attached to the rigid sides of the hopper, as shown in Fig. 8.

Plate 15 is stiffened along its lower edge by an-angle 18 and is supported in the position shown in Fig. 1 by a number of bars 19, which rest on pins 20, which pins are attached to the main frame of the hopper. The plate 15 is thus free to move vertically and is forced to keep parallel with its initial position by the rods 16 and 17, which are parallel with each other and of the same length.

The bottom parts of the division-plates 4 are cut oil at an angle, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9, so that they will clear the plate 9 when it is in its uppermost position, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

The length of the upper end of the levers 10 and the location of the bar 13 are so proportioned that they do not come in contact until after the lower edge of plate 15 has been moved over on top of plate 9 In other words, plate 9 is not tipped upward until after the coal has been scraped over onto it. l/Vhen plate 9 is moved upward by the levers 10, it forces plate 15 upward and at the same time forces the surplus coal within the hopper.

The cover for the top of the box consists of a substantial plate 21, with one edge stifl'eued by a heavy steel angle 22 and the other edge stiffened by asteel channel 23, all of which at suitable points are attached to and supported by heavy steel levers 24, which in turn are supported by levers 25 and rods 26, as shown in Fig. 1 and also in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

The rods 26 have their lower ends secured by pins to substantial brackets on the sides of the box and their upper ends secured by pins to the levers 2 1-.

Levers 25 have their lower ends keyed on shaft 46 and are fastened together at their upper ends by a substantial cylindrical bar 27, which also passes through one end of the lever 24-. The bar 27 free to move up and down on the end of the levers The weight of the cover always tends to force bar 27 upward, and it is constrained from movingupward off the ends of the levers 25 by the nuts 47 and the springs 48, which springs serve to limit the strain which the levers 242 can exert on the levers 25.

The levers 25 may be moved from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Figs. 3 and L by means of (-zccentric'rods 28 and eccentrics 29, which latter are keyed onto the shaft 30, the rotation of which may be caused by suitable gearing. (Not shown). When the shaft 30 is rotated through an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees from the position in which it is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the levers and the rods 26 will be swung around their lower pins toward the box and the cover for the box will be brought over on top. of the coal in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3, where, it will be observed, angle 22, which still'ens one edge of the cover 21, is in position to pass under the angle 31, which is under the lower edge of the plate 9 and is attached to the outer ends of the levers 10. V hen the sides of the box are forced together, the angle b1 will be moved over the angle 22 into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1.

The vertical motion of the levers 10 is constrained by substantial bolts 32, so that the angle 31 serves to hold down the angle 22 when it is over it, as is shown in Fig. 1.

in practice it has been found that the coal offers no appreciable resistance to the motion of the sides of the box until after they have been moved together sufiiciently to bring the angle 31 over the angle 22, and therefore the angle 31 serves to hold down one side of the top of the box during the time that it is being pressed upward by the pressure from the coal within during the period of compression. in like manner the other side of the cover, which is stiffened by the channel 23, is held down by the lever 24 and the rod 26, which latter is strongly secured to one side of the box at its lower end. Thus during the compression of the coal all the vertical pressure which comes against the cover is transmitted directly to the sides of the box by the rods 26 and 32, and this strain is balanced by the equal opposite strains on the bottom of the box, which in the type of machine illustrated, are transmitted through the suspension-rods (Shown in Fig. .1.)

in machines of the class herein illustrated the sides of the box are moved forward longitnrhnally durlng the period of compressmn and also during the period of release, and as it is evident that the hopper cannot move longitudinally, because the tie-rods 3 pass through it, provision must be made to allow the plate 9 to move forward longitudinally when it is in the position shown in Fig. -25, as it is attached to the sides of the box by means of the levers 10, the pins 11, and brackets 12 and. must go forward when the sides of the box are moved forward.

To permit plate 9 to move longitiulinally underneath the hopper while the surplus coal is resting on it, it is made longer than the hopper, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, so that it may travel forward with the sides of the box without passing out from under the surplus coal. To prevent the coal from following plate 9 when it moves longitudinally. the ends of the box are fitted with vertical hinged scraping-plates 3a, which rest on top of the plate 9 and are attached at one end to the main scraping-plate by means of angle and pin 36 and at the other end to the lixed part of the hopper by means of the pin 37. These scraping-plates are further stiffened and held vertically by the flat keeping-bars and 39.

In order that the levers 10 may move longitudinally with the sides of the box while in contact with the bars 13, these bars 13 are made suliiciently long to permit the levers 10 to slide alon them the re( uisite distance as is shown in Fig. 1. Similarly bar Q? is made sui'liciently long to permit lever 2a to slide along it the requisite distance when the cover moves longitudinally with the sides of the box, as it must do. This detail is shown in Fig. 5.

1 do not conline myself to the special construction shown, as it is evident that the hopper may be constructed in a number of different ways and that the hinged scrapingplates 15 and 33 i are used merely to permit of a special means of fastening down one side of the cover.

Qlt will thus be seen that my invention comprises a hopper adapted to serve as a funnel for lilling the box with coal and also to serve as a means for moving the surplus coal to one side and also as a means for returning such surplus coal into the box, so that it may form part of the next charge. Such a hopper may evidently be constructed to suit the requirements of any of the usual forms of coal stamping, compressing, and charging machines regardless whetl'ier the compressing of the coal is performed by the movement of the sides of the box or not, and therefore I do not conline myself to the application of this hopper to the form of compressing-machine shown on the aecon'ipanying drawings.

Likewise I do not conline myself to the specific form of cover and the means for moving it as herein described, but in this respect my invention may be said to comprise means for moving the cover bodily to one side to permit of filling the box with coal, means for moving the cover back into position over the top of the box, and means for securing the cover over the top of the box, so that the strains which come on it during the compression of the coal will be transmitted directly to the sides of the box and serve to balance the equal and opposite strains which are caused by the pressure on the bottom of the box.

In the accompanying drawings the means shown for holding down the angle 22 on the edge of the cover are especially designed for use in connection with a filling-hopper of the form above described. It is evident, however, that the angle 31 might be rigidly attached to one side of the box in the position in which it is shown in Figs. 2, 3, and at if some other means were employed for filling the box and leveling off the coal other than the form of hopper illustrated.

An important feature to be observed in the means herein shown and described for moving the cover of the box is the fact that the levers 24 are not constrained against vertical motions by the levers 25 except by the resistance olfered by the springs 48, which resistance maybe predetermined and is usually made merely a little more than su liicient to counterbalance the strain caused on the springs 48 by the weight of the cover. This construction prevents thelever 25 from receiving any appreciable strain from the levers 24: while the'coal is being compressed even though the cover be moved slightly in a vertical direction by the pressure from the coal. In practice aslight vertical motion of the cover will occur due to the lost motion of the pins in the ends of rods 26 and 32 and the little deflections which are caused throughout the entire machine while the coal is being compressed.

in the construction herein shown and described the angle 31, which serves to hold LlOWILODG side of the cover of the box, cannot become clogged or choked with coal, as it is below the plate 9 and is entirely protected by it while the surplus coal is being scraped to one side. Plate 9 is so hinged and arranged that it is automatically tipped up by the hopper, as herein described, so that it will protect the angle 31 and keep the coal away from it.

IV hat I claim is 1. In combination with a coal-compression box, having a horizontally-movable side, independently-movable, power-operated mechanism for automatically charging said box exactly full at a single operation.

2. In combination with a coal-compression box, having cooperating oppositely -acting and horizontally movable sides, independentl y movable, power operated mechanism for filling said box with coal and automatically striking the surplus coal from the top thereof.

box, having cooperating oppositelyacting and horizontally movable sides, independently movable, power-operated mechanism for filling said box with coal, automatically striking the surplus coal from the top thereof and retaining said surplus for thenext charge.

L. In combination with a coal-compression box, a hopper for delivering the coal thereto, supporting means for suspending said hopper so that its lower extension will hang free, said supporting means comprising a plurality of wheels connected with the upper extension of said hopper and supporting guides or rails therefor, and means for reciprocating said hopper.

5. In combination with a coal-compression box, a hopper for delivering coal thereto, antifriction supporting and guiding means for said hopper adapted to leave the lower exten sion thereof free and unencumbered, said supporting and guiding means comprising a plurality of wheels connected with the upper extension of the hopper and stationary tracks for said wheels and power-operated mechanism for causing the reciprocation of the hopper.

6. In combination with a coal-compression box, a hopper for delivering the coal thereto, means for reciprocating said hopper to and away from the box, a platform adjacent the top of the box'adapted to be traversed by the hopper and means for rocking said platforn when the hopper superimposes it.

7. In combination with a coal-compression box, and a reciprocating charging hopper therefor horizontally movable to and from the top of the box, a cover for said box, and a plurality of oscillating levers for supporting and reciprocating in substantially horizontal directions said cover to and away from said box. 7

8. In combination with a coal-compression box, and a reciprocating charging hopper therefor horizontally movable to and from the top of the box, a cover for said box and a plurality of pivotally-connected levers for supporting and reciprocating in substantially horizontal directions said cover to and away from said box.

9. In combination with a coal-compression box, a cover for said box mounted on a springcontrolled pivoted lever and cam-operated means for reciprocating the same.

10. In combination with a coal-compression box, and a reciprocating charging hopper therefor horizontally movable to and from the top of the box, a cover for said box, means for reciprocating said cover to and away from the box in substantially horizontal directions and automatic means for connecting said cover with the sides of the box when in the operative position.

11. In combination with a coal-compression 3. In combination with a coal-compression box, a cover for said box, means for reciproeating said cover to and away from the box in substantially horizontal directions and autoinatic pressure resisting means connected around the bottom of the box for connecting said cover with the sides of the box when in the operative position.

12. In combinationwith a coal-compression box, a cover for said box mounted on a pivoted lever, cam-operated means for reciprocatingsaid cover to and from the box and means for connecting said cover with the sides of the box adapted to permit the reciprocative sidewise movement of said cover but prevent upward movement of the same.

3. in combination with a coal-compression box, a cover for said box mounted on a springcontrolled pivoted lever, cam-operated means for reciprocatlng said cover to and from the box and means for connecting said cover with the sides of the box adapted to permit the re-- ciprocative sidewise movement of said cover but prevent upward movement of the same.

.14. In combination with a coal-compression box, a cover for said box, a plurality of pivotally-connected levers for supporting and reciprocating said cover and means connected with said cover when in the operative position for counterbalancin g the strain exerted by the coal under compression.

15. In coi'nbination with a coal-com n'ession box, a cover for same, means for reciprocating said cover to and away from the box and means for connecting the bottom and sides with the cover when in the operative position to balance the pressure on the cover by the equal and opposite strain on the bottom.

16. In combination with a compression-box for coal, a reciprocating cover therefor having a double pivoted lever connection with the sta tionary support, one of said pivotal connections being spring-controlled and cam-operated means for causing its reciprocation.

17. In combination with a compression-box for coal,a reciprocatingcover therefor and pivotally-connected brace-rods secured between the cover and the stationary parts of the device to permit the free reciprocation of said cover and to counteract the pressure exerted thereon by the coal under compression.

18. In combination with a coal-compression box, a reciprocating cover therefor, means for reciprocating said cover in substantially horizontal directions and automatic means secured to the supporting means beneath the box for locking the cover against upward pressure when in the operative position.

19. In combination with a coal-compression box, a reciprocating cover for said box having pressure-counteracting means connected between the cover and the base supporting the box and means for the automatic reciprocation thereof in substantially horizontal directions.

20. In a coal-compressing device comprising a receptacle whose side members have a forward movement in the operation of compressing, a power operated reciprocating cover for said receptacle and supporting means for said cover adapted to permit of its movement when in the operative position to correspend with the forward movement of the receptacle.

9,1. In combination with a coahcompressiou box, a reciprocative hopper for conducting coal thereto, a rocking platform adjacent the top of said box adapted to be superimposed by the hopper and of such extension as to permit its longitudinal movement with the box without permitting coal to escape from the hopper.

22. In com bination with a coal-compression box, a reciprocative hopper for conducting coal thereto, a rocking platform adjacent the top of said box and means connected with the hopper for rocking the platform.

23. In combination with a coal-compression box, a reciprocative hopper for conducting coal thereto, a rocking platform adjacent the top of said box, means connected with the hop per for rocking the platform, and means connected with the box for limiting the rocking IIIOVPI'XIGTHJ of said platform.

24:. In combination with a coal-compression box, a reciprocative hopper for conducting coal thereto, a rocking platform adjacent the top of said box having lost-moti i)n connection with said box and means connected with the hopper for rocking the platform.

25. In combination with a coal-compression box, a reciprocating hopper for comlucting coal thereto, an independently-supported rcciprocating cover for said box and pmver-operated means for causing the alternate reciprocation of said hopper and cover to and from the top of said box.

26. In combination with a coal-compressimi box, a reciprocating hopper for comlucting coal thereto, an independently-supported reciprocating cover for said box, power operated means for causing the alternate reciprocation of said hopper and cover to and from the top of said box, and means operated by the hopper for automatically securing the cover in the operative position.

27. In combination with a coal-compression box, a reciprocating hopper for conducting coal thereto, a reciprocating cover for said box, power-operated means for causing the alternativereciprocation of said hopper and cover to and from the top of said box, and pressure-resisting means operated by the hopper for automatically securing the cover in the operative position.

28. In combination with a coal-compression box, a reciprocative hopper for conducting 'coal thereto, areciprocative cover for said box and a rocking platform adjacent the top of the box operated by the hopper to secure the cover in the operative position.

29. .l n combination with a coal-eom pressing box, a reciprocative hopper for conducting coal thereto having a vertically-movable side plate lying transverse the movement of reciprocation.

30. In combination with acoal-compressing box, a reciprocative hopper for conducting coal thereto having a vertically-movable side plate lying transverse the movement of reciprocation, and means connected with said movable side plate for maintaining its vertical position.

31. In combination with a coal-compressing box, a reciprocative hopper for conducting coal thereto having a vertically-movable side plate lying transverse the movement of reciprocation, and pressure-resisting means connected with said movable side plate for maintaining its vertical position.

32. In combination with a coal-compressing box, a reciprocative hopper for conducting coal thereto having vertically-movable side plates lying in the direction of reciprocation of said hopper.

33. In combination with a coal-compressing box, a reciprocative hopper for conducting coal thereto having a vertically-movable side plate lying transverse the movement of reciprocation, and vertically-movable side plates lying in the direction of reciprocation of said hopper.

34. In combination with acoal-compression box having horizontallymovable sides, a cover for same, means for moving the cover bodily to one side of the box and back again and means for securing the cover over the top of the box so that the strain which comes on it during the compression of the box will be transmitted to the sides of the box and serve to balance the equal and opposite strains which are caused by the pressure on the bottom of the box.

35. In combination with a receptacle, a hopper for directing material thereto, means for moving the hopper away from the receptacle so as to strike the material level with the top thereof, and means for maintaining the surplus material in the hopper for the next charge, comprising an approximately horizontal platform adapted to have a limited tilting movement.

36. In combination with a receptacle, a hopper for directing material thereto, means for moving the hopper away from the receptacle so as to strike the material level with the top thereof, a pivotally-supported platform adapted to be tilted When the hopper passes over it as means for maintaining the surplus material in the hopper, and means whereby said surplus material is delivered to the receptacle when the hopper is moved back thereto so that such surplus serves as part of the next charge.

37 In combination with a receptacle for material, a hopper to cooperate therewith, means for causing the horizontal reciprocation of the hopper to and away from the receptacle first so that it will direct the material into the receptacle and then strike the material flush with the top thereof, and means for maintaining the surplus material in the hopper when the sameis moved away from the said receptacle, comprising an approximately horizontal platform and means for tilting the same as the hopper passes over it.

38. In combination with a coal-compressing box having horizontally-movable sides, a hopper for directing the coal thereto, means for causing the horizontal reciprocation of the hopper to and away from the box, a cover for said box, and means for moving the cover to and away from the top of the box.

39. In combination with a coal-com pressing box having horizontally-movable sides, a hopper for directing the coal thereto, means for causing the horizontal reciprocation of the hopper to and away from the box, a cover for said box, means for moving the cover to and away from the top of the box and means for locking the cover over the box.

40. In combination with a coal-compressing box having horizontally-movable sides, a hopper for directing the coal thereto, means for causing the horizontal reciprocation of the hopper to and away from the box, a cover for said box and means for moving the same bodily to one side-to permit of lilling the box with coal, means for moving the cover back into position over the top of the box, and means for securing the cover over the top of the box so that the strains that come on it, during the compression of the coal, will be transmitted directly to the sides of the box and serve to balance the equal and opposite strains which are caused by the pressure on the bottom of the box.

41. The combination of a coal-compressing box, a hopper for directing the coal thereto, means for causing the horizontal reciprocation of the hopper to and away from the box, and a plate, having a pivotal support and means for tilting the same for maintaining the surplus coal in the hopper, over which the hopper shall pass as it leaves the box.

as. The combination of a coal-compressing box, a hopper for directing the coal thereto, means for causing the horizontal reciprocation of the hopper to and away from the box, a cover for said box and means for moving the cover to and away from the top of the box, a plate, for maintaining the surplus coal in the hopper, over which the hopper shall pass as it leaves the box, said plate adapted to engage with the cover to secure the same against vertical movement.

43. The combination of a coal-compressing box, a hopper for directing the coal thereto, means for causing the horizontal reciprocation of the hopper to and away from the box, a cover for said box and means for moving the cover to and away from the top of the box, a

l plate, for maintaining the surplus coal in the hopper, over which the hopper shall pass as it leaves the box, the edge of said plate, or a projection connected therewith adapted to engage with the cover to secure the same against vertical movement, and means for causing the elevation of said edge or projection by the movement of the hopper away from the box.

44. The combination of a coal-compressing box, a hopper for directing the coal thereto, means for causing the horizontal reciprocation of the hopper to and away from the box, a cover for said box and means for moving the cover to and away from the top of the box, a plate, for maii'ltaining the surplus coal in the hopper over which the hopper shall pass as it leaves the box, and means for causing the tilting of said plate, by the movement of the hopper away from the box, to cause the elevation of one edge thereof to permit the cover to pass beneath the same.

4-5. The combination of a coal-compressing box, a hopper, for directing the coal thereto, having vertically-movable sides, means For causing the horizontal reciprocation ol the hopper to and away from the box, a cover for said box and means For moving the cover to will and away from the top of the box, a plate, for maintaining the surplus coal in the hopper, over which the hopper shall pass as it leaves the box, and means for causing the tilting of per for directing the material thereto, means for moving the hopper away from the box so as to strike the material level with the top thereof, a cover for said box, means for moving the same to and away from the top thereof, and means for n'laii'itaining the cover in position over the top ol the box so that the strains which come on it during the e('n'npression of the coal will betransmitted directly to the sides of the box and serve to balance the equal and opposite strains which are caused by the pressure on the bottom ol the box.

JAS. l3. LADI). \Vitnessec:

(1. l). Ennn'r, Amos '1. BURROUGII. 

